11/30/2010

MORI, the casual restaurant group focusing on healthy, quality Japanese food,which launched in London’s St John’s Wood just one year ago, has just signed on what will be its third branch, in Chelsea.

The site, at 99 King’s Road, is scheduled to open in early 2011. It offers 1,500 sq.ft of space, which will include an expansive chilled cabinet housing the full range of MORI dishes, a feature display of MORI’s frozen yoghurt together with 20 seats for eat-in. The site will also offer a delivery service to addresses across South West London.

Blackheath residents, families and visitors now have a world of cuisines on their doorstep thanks to the arrival of global restaurant, Giraffe on Tranquil Vale.

Positive energy exudes from the moment you enter the warm and welcoming, restaurant with the big heart. Open from morning till late, all your needs are catered for. Whether you’re catching up with friends for a quick coffee, looking for a long leisurely breakfast, a three-course meal with the family or a romantic dinner for two, Giraffe is the ideal destination.

Located in heart of Blackheath village, the open plan, split level restaurant has been stylishly decorated in muted colours with a striking feature wall made with gold leaf and cork, as well as fretwork panels that imitate the irregular pattern of a Giraffe’s skin.

Carefully crafted from the freshest ingredients sourced from favoured suppliers, there’s something to suit every taste and challenge the adventurous to try something new. Kick-start the day with a breakfast worth getting out of bed for such as organic porridge topped with honey, sunflower seeds, strawberries and bananas; a granola sundae brimming with fresh fruit; or spicy huevos rancheros – free range fried or scrambled eggs, chorizo, black beans, cheddar and jack cheese, adobe sauce, avocado and tomato salsa on a warm tortilla.

Deliciously tempting desserts include milky double bubble chocolate cheesecake with warm chocolate sauce; a rustic apple crumble topped with deliciously crunchy hazelnuts and oats and a winter berry compote; and a gooey, indulgent chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream - all the better when shared with a friend.

Giraffe’s global dedication extends to drinks. Coffee is hand-crafted using the finest Arabica beans, carefully sourced from two family owned farms in Brazil and Guatemala. Roasted in the UK by their friends at Union Coffee Roasters, every time you enjoy a cup you can be assured that you are giving something back. In Brazil, this means there are now weekly food baskets for the workers whose children will now be educated at the local school. In Guatemala, coffee sales help build homes for migrant workers and develop sustainable farming methods. Teas are by Teapigs who also pledge to help the communities they work with, and there’s even Giraffe’s very own Moroccan mint variety.

Just like the menu, the wine list is international with every bottle available by the glass. Cocktails make their mark with a combination of old school classics such as a retro piña colada and more contemporary innovations including vanilla breeze – vanilla vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, passion fruit and pineapple.

Little ones are loved just as much as grown ups and have their very own menu complete with puzzles and games to keep them entertained. Sit back and relax as they tuck into a host of healthy, fresh dishes such as salmon fingers with mash, broccoli and sweetcorn; grilled chicken burger or a mini brunch with sausage, eggs, Heinz beans and toast. For a Christmas dinner with a global flavour, Giraffe has the answer. Their fantastic value festive menu, two courses for £15.95 and three for £19.95 is a tasty alternative to the norm; try delicious starters such as crayfish and prawn cocktail or sweet potato, pumpkin and ginger soup. Mains are equally appetising with goats’ cheese and zucchini lasagne or a double roasted crispy duck with green chilli and potato hash. For dessert, a steamed hot chocolate and cherry pudding is a sweet touch.

Owner Russel Joffe said: “Blackheath is a lovely part of the world with lots of character. We are delighted to be able to takeover this gem of a restaurant and look forward to bringing Giraffe to locals.”

11/11/2010

A new bar and restaurant called The Bowler has just opened on Bellevue Road, Wandsworth Common.

It sounds from the press release that there are plenty of nightly activities planned. Bellevue Road is a lovely location and I hope that the locals will embrace this new addition to the neighbourhood - please comment if you have checked it out already.

With its eclectic bar, cosy Snug – perfect for a Book Club meeting or other têtes a têtes – and Bowling Room formal restaurant, it is the perfect place to eat, drink and be merry.

Those people looking to discover whether it should be Chardonnay or Shiraz need look no further than the monthly Wine & Food Matching evenings on Mondays at The Bowler. Let Head Chef Paul Ribband and wine expert Olivier Marty take you on a culinary journey filled with festive flavour with their tailored three-course gourmet menu and hand-selected accompanying wines available for just £50 per person.

Tuesday nights will see a full house courtesy of Poker Night. Players of all abilities are welcome to try their hand, with beginner’s tables as well as more established groups. Buy-in is just £10 and winner takes all – are you feeling lucky?

However, nobody can keep a poker face on Wednesday nights when they find out about Steak Night which will offer spectacular cuts which have been hung and marinated to perfection under the chef’s watchful eye. With some of the best meat on the market – and not just beef steak – at mouthwatering prices, you won’t want to miss out.

Meanwhile, there’s no better reason to gather the girls together for a good night out on Thursdays for Ladies Night where they can enjoy 2 for 1 on cocktails all evening. With an extensive menu to suit all tastes it’s the best way to ease your way into the weekend.

The Bowler Bar really comes to life on Friday and Saturday nights, when live musicians add a soundtrack to the evening and the bar stays open until 2am, whilst those looking to beat the Sunday blues should check out the regular Comedy Night where the laughs come cheap at just £5 entrance. Acts performing change weekly, check out the website or subscribe to The Bowler on Twitter and Facebook to find out more.

Evening activities aside, The Bowler is proving popular with families keen to take advantage of the family-friendly facilities including a secure play area and specially designed kids menu.

Throughout December, Father Christmas will be keeping the kids entertained and spreading festive cheer from his grotto at The Bowler. Children lucky enough to bag a slot with Santa won’t leave empty handed – with balloons and gifts up for grabs as well as a photo with the great man himself. Extra Christmas spirit comes courtesy of festive face-painting and a specially-designed seasonal menu. Meanwhile, parents can relax with a warming glass of gluwein at the bar! Find Santa on weekday afternoons between 1-4pm from 6 December until Christmas. Visits by appointment only.

Overlooking the greenery of Wandsworth Common, the bar & restaurant is ideally placed to cater for any occasion be it an informal coffee morning, a family Sunday brunch, a romantic dinner à deux or a night out with the girls. So make sure you visit The Bowler and banish those Winter blues!

With chestnut season just starting and the truffle and game season in full swing, what better way to embrace these delicacies than enjoying a special menu focusing on these key ingredients at Enoteca Turi, an Italian fine-dining restaurant in Putney, between now and 20th November.

The Chestnut, Game and Truffle fortnight hosts a special menu available in the evenings from Monday to Saturday (offering it as a set menu with two courses for £25.50 and three courses for £29.50 on Monday to Thursday).

Giuseppe Turi, proprietor of Enoteca Turi comments: “For many Italians living in the countryside, autumn is eagerly awaited because of the gatherings of its gifts of nature, an exciting pastime in itself. For chefs who enjoy creating new dishes with seasonal produce, the three ingredients for which autumn is most cherished are chestnuts, mushrooms (truffles being the most sought after) and wild game.”

Check out the full menu at www.enotecaturi.com or telephone 0208 785 4449.

11/05/2010

Harrison's restaurant in the heart of Balham, is now offering regulars the chance to get late availability deals.

Whilst the offer itself is not specified, the idea is for customers to give Harrison's their mobile number and when the restaurant has cancellations, customers will receive a text message and will benefit from short notice booking.

It's a nice idea, good for customers and a good way of filling spare capacity.

11/04/2010

The Hindu Festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. To mark South Asia’s most popular festival, Chelsea’s fine dining Malaysian restaurant Awana, have created a sumptuous feast guaranteed to light up your evening.

The menu will consist of seven delectable Malaysian dishes which include Varuval - Stir Fried Lamb with Indian Spices, Curry Leaf, Oyster Sauce and Dark Soy and Min Poriyal - Deep Fried Red Snapper marinated in Turmeric and Curry Powder with Ginger and Garlic. These appetizing dishes can be enjoyed along with Samba - Curried Lentil and Root Vegetables flavoured with Coriander and Mint and Kireh Kadil - Stewed Spinach with Aubergine, Potato, Curry Leaf, Birds Eye Chilli and Coconut.

Finally round off this delicious feast with the authentic dessert of Payasam – Glass Noodles in Sweet Milk cooked with Raisins and Nuts.

Awana shall certainly show you the light this Diwali, with their Festival of Lights Menu. The Malaysian feast can be enjoyed in the stylish surroundings of teakwood, traditional batik silk and luscious dark red leather, reminiscent of a Malaysian plantation house.

The Diwali menu is available for two weeks only, from now to 14th November 2010.